Cancer Patient Stories

Breast Cancer

Denise's Story

A typical commute home from work in 2013 turned into one of those moments Denise Geiwitz will never forget. That's when the art teacher and mother of two was told that a routine mammogram detected that she had breast cancer.

Leah's Story

Dr. Leah Dietrich cares for patients at Gundersen’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders. She knows first-hand how critical it can be to catch cancer in its earliest stages after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2011.

Margie's Story

Margie noticed a lump and rash on her breasts during a self-breast exam just months after her mother died from breast cancer. A week later Margie was entering into a battle that was far too familiar for her family.

Nikki's Story

Nikki Pfeifer didn't take life too seriously, before Sept. 10, 2013. But a diagnosis of breast cancer can change a woman—especially a young one. Nikki was only 29 when she was told her life would forever be different.

Tricia and Dee's Story

Tricia Powers Demmin has a lot in common with her mother Dolores (Dee) Powers. They were both teachers. They both have a great sense of humor. And they both received a diagnosis that was shocking to say the least—breast cancer.

Colon Cancer

Robin's Story

At just 30 years old, Robin Henderson was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Her fight for survival, and the care she received at Gundersen, has inspired her to help others in similar situations.

Pediatric Cancer

Justus' Story

A few months after being adopted into his forever home, Justus and his new family learned that he had cancer. They quickly found out that they had more support than they could have ever imagined—from the Gundersen staff.

Clinical Trials

Rhita's Story

A cancer diagnosis had Rhita living in discomfort for more than six years. That's when she decided to give a clinical trial at Gundersen a shot. The decision has put the pep back in Rhita's step—and is helping Gundersen advance evidence-based medicine.